2002 Château Haut-Bailly
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Tasting notes
A leap in terms of colour and fruit character in the vertical to date, plumper and more primary in appearance, focused cassis and bilberry, with cold ash and mint leaf. A cooler-than-average vintage, and one that highlights the judgement always displayed at this estate, balanced and utterly moreish, waiting to be dived into and shared with friends. Harvest September 20 to October 15. First vintage of Gabriel Vialard as technical director, working alongside CEO Veronique Sanders and consultant Denis Dubourdieu. 50% new oak.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2002 Château Haut-Bailly is actually more concentrated than the 2001 but is largely in the same elegant, medium-bodied style. Ripe red and black fruits, roasted herbs, chocolate, and tobacco all emerge on the nose, and it has solid mid-palate depth, a firm, foursquare mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It will evolve for another decade.
The 2002 Haut-Bailly is perhaps a little staid on the nose compared to the 2001. Tertiary black fruit and touches of leather, miss the fruit intensity of the previous two vintages. The palate is better with a slightly ferrous, almost Right Bank opening, leather mixed with sage and brown spices. This just shows a little dryness towards the finish. Drink now and over the next five to eight years. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château.
62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Usually considered a success for the vintage but disappointing today. Dark core but slightly watery rim. Earthy, bracken notes on the nose. Light to medium-bodied with mid-palate sweetness but short of fruit and drying on the finish. Past its optimum or bottle variation? (JL)
About the producer
Quality at this château, now one of Pessac-Léognan’s leading wine estates, has risen exponentially under the reign of Véronique Sanders, with the property known for crafting wines of elegance and poise.